Electrolytic can cleaner



Oct. 29, 1946. HERRO m; 2,410,213

ELECTROLYTIC CAN CLEANER Filed Nov. 6, 1939 5 Shets-Sheet :5

INVENTORJ.

. /m mwfi Oct; 29, 1946. c HERRQ ETAL, 2,410,213 ELECTROLYTIC CAN CLEANER Filed Nov. 6, 1939 1 s Sheets-Sheet 4 IIIIIIIL j I g/ ae/Awommi Oct 1945- A. c. HERRO ETAL ELECTROLYTIC CAN CLEANER Filed Nov. 6. 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 improved cleaning action.

Patented Oct. 29, 1946 ELECTROLYTIC CAN CLEANER.

Alexander C. Herro and Paul Smart, ()conomowoc, Wis., assignors to Carnation Company, Oconomowoc, Wis., a corporation of Delaware Application November 6, 1939, Serial No. 302,942

4 Claims. 1

The present invention relates to the art of cleaning, and more particularly concerns the cleaning of containers or vessels for food products, to provide a clear and sanitary exterior. In the case of packing, canning, and enclosing food products containing appreciable moisture and requiring sterilization, it is not unusual that a film, possibly composed of food elements, oil, solids from evaporation of water, and syrup, accumulates on the outer surface of the containers. Such a film may confer a dull appearance upon the final package, and in many cases promotes the appearance of dust. In any event, the sales appeal of the packaged article sold under the foregoing conditions may be and frequently is seriously afiected.

In the past such containers have been manually wiped and cleaned or subjected to polishing by abrasive polishing means. It is evident, however, that the use of an abrasive affects the desirable properties of the protective coating when using containers of tin-plate, while at the same time the action of polishing tends to smear certain surface materials.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome the foregoing difficulties and provide a device and method for cleaning cans and like containers continuously and automatically in such a manner as to rapidly remove all surface film therefrom, and to discharge the individual containers in dry, clean condition.

More particularly, the present invention contemplates the treatment of cans of the so-called tin-plate type, and to this end it is proposed to regularly submerge the cans, under controlled conditions, in a bath wherein they are subjected to electrolytic treatment for loosening and separating the film of foreign matter, in combination With the step and means for applying relatively soft brushes to finally loosen and separate any of the film which has been insufiiciently released by the electrolytic action. Such electrolytic action results in loosening of the film through the mechanical action of gases released directly against the metallic surface. Since all of the foreign surface material, though not completely removed from association with the can surface, is necessarily partially so removed, it has been discovered that the present steps, when applied in combination in accordance With the present invention, cooperate to result in an effective and It is an important object of the present invention to provide endless gripping means individually and yieldably engageable with containers for conveying them under predetermined conditions in the path of treatment, in accordance with which it will be evident that the time and degree of subjection to the cleansing treatment may be carefully controlled, and. the device readily applied to coordination with any continuous packing or sterilizing machine.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved guide track and conveyor means for handling cylindrical cans, which continuously rotate the cans in the cleaning solution and .instrumetnalities. Another object of the present invention in- ;cludes the flushing or rinsing of the containers immediately after their cleansing treatment, followed by removal of the surface moisture by contact with a resilient, water absorptive member.

Yet other and further objects of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description when considered in connection with theaccompanying drawings, wherein .Figure 1 is an elevational view showing a machine embodying the principles of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the machine shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken centrally through the machine on the vertical plane indicated by the line 3-3 of Figure 2, and showing -4a 4'a in Figure 3A, of the opposite section of .lthe machine represented in Figure 3A;

Figure 5 is a detail sectional elevation taken on the vertical plane indicated by the line 55 in Figure'B; I

Figure 6 is a detail sectional view taken on the vertical plane represented by the line 66 in F r 3; I

Figure 7 is afurther detail view of the brushing assembly taken on the plane represented by the line1-- l in Figure 3;

Figure 8 is a'detail sectional View taken through thewiper assembly on the line 8-8 in Figure 3A; Figure 9 is a perspective detail view of one of the wiper supporting brackets shown in Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a perspective detail view of one of the wipers supported by the bracket in Figure 9; and

Figure 11 is a perspective view of the supporting screen for mounting the lower drying elements. I

Referring to the figures of the drawings wherein one illustrated embodiment falling within the purview of the present invention is disclosed more in detail, there is shown, particularly in Figures 1 and 2, a supporting frame construction comprising four vertical legs ll] of angular section, each pair being laterallyspaced at the lower portions by transversely extending, welded angle members [2. Legs ID are welded to a pair of spaced, parallel frame members l4 spaced at their opposite ends by welded angle bars l6 and I8, respectively, and by other spacing members, as will hereinafter more fully appear.

It will be apparent that the frame members function to support the various mechanisms and treatment instrumentalities, among which is a cleaner tank 20 and a rinse tank 22.

In accordance with the details shown in Figures 3 and 4, the cleaner tank has an upwardly inclined bottom wall 24 and appropriate end and side walls 26 and 28, respectively, for containing an electrolytic solution. The tank maintains its position within the supporting frame members l4 and It by positive attachment thereto through the agency of welding or any other fastening means.

It is proposed, in accordance with the present invention, to supply the tank or container 20 with an electrolytic cleaning liquid for removing foreign matter from the surface of can containers arranged therein in electrically conducting relation, and to the end that the electrolytic conditions may be rendered most favorable, a heat ing element, in the form of an inversely extending conduit or pipe 30, is arranged within the tank, as shown in Figure 3, and adapted to be supplied with steam from an inlet 32. The outlet portion of the conduit 30 is sealed within the end wall 26 of the tank and passes to steam trap 34.

.A tank drain outlet is shown at 36.

The containers to be treated enter the present machine through a guide 38 which may comprise the outlet of a hopper, the discharge extremity of a sterilizing machine, or any other equivalent instrumentality through which the cans are continuously delivered in seriatim order.

In accordance with the present invention, the containers are delivered to the space between a gripping belt 40 and opposed tracks or guides 42, between which they are yieldably supported. Th tracks 42 are arcuately formed downwardly into the tank shown in Figure 3, and are faced with a covering layer 44 of suitable resilient gripping material, such as rubber.

Lateral guide rails 46, contoured in accordance with th rails 42, are fastened to the guideway 38 and to a bracket 48 in the lower part of the tank by welding, and laterally retain the cylindrical containers upon the trackway afforded therefor.

' The lower extremity of the guideway 42 supplies the articles to an upwardly inclined conveyor track construction shown more in detail in Figures 3 and 6. In the latter figure, the reference letter A represents a cylindrical can container arranged in normal position upon the track construction, in order to more clearly indicate the operation and constructionofthe guide track.

In accordance with this construction, the track 4 is mounted upon longitudinally disposed, laterally extending blocks 50 spaced from the bottom wall of the tank 20 by insulating strips 52 and fastened by machine bolts 54. Parallel, longitudinally disposed angle rails 56, welded to the blocks 50 as at 58, support the guiding and associated instrumentalities.

More particularly within the recesses formed by the angle of the members 56 (referring to the right-hand portion of the assembly) is arranged a series of laminations comprising a layer 60 of insulating substance, and an opposed layer 62 oppositely engaging the lower portion of an anode plate 64. The anode plate is spaced at its lower extremity from the rail 56 by means of a short insulating strip 65. Insulating strips 66 and 68, of relatively lower elevation, complete the series of laminations. On the opposite track assembly a similar anode plate 64a is likewise embraced and supported by opposed insulating strips 60a and 620..

A further conducting member or rail H1 is gripped between opposed insulating strips 12 and 14 arranged at a relatively lower elevation, so that the upper margin of the rail H1 is free to make contact with the surface of the can container.

In accordance with the present invention, the foregoing elements are releasably held within the supporting rails 56 by a clamping assembly 16, shown in Figure 6, permitting the opposite yieldable gripping of all of the parts within the angle recesses. To this end the clamping assembly comprises opposite, longitudinally disposed channels l8 and 18a provided, respectively, with a threaded shank and an embracing sleeve 82. The threaded shank receives a rotary nut and washer 84 so that, when arranged as shown in Figure 6, rotation of the nut 84 will effect a relative expansion or contraction of the sleeve and shank assembly to grip the opposed assemblies.

Spaced angular finger members 86, welded to the channels 13 and 18a, engage beneath the angle rails 56, as shown in Figure 6, at points between the supporting blocks to facilitate vertical location of the clamping assemblies.

It will be understood, from the foregoing, that the present arrangement provides a simple and durable arrangement, permitting rapid adjustment, change and replacement of any of the parts, while normally maintaining the conducting elements in insulated relationship.

It is particularly important that the guide strips 62, 66 and 62a may be and preferably are formed of soft, resilient material, such as soft rubber, to cushion the contact with the containers, as well as to facilitate the foregoing gripping interassembly of the parts. The remaining laminations, with the exception of insulating strips 65, may desirably comprise some relatively rigid substance.

It is evident, from the foregoing, that the can containers A, when arranged upon the guide track assembly, may be placed in a circuit through the medium of anode plates 64, and the conducting rail 10 connected with a suitable electrical source by means not shown.

Movement of the containers upon the track is effected by means of the gripping conveyor belt heretofore mentioned and arranged in endless relation upon pulleys 88 and 90 (see Figures 3:-

to the frames in vertically disposed relation just above the right-hand-support legs I0, as viewed in-Figure 1. The channel member further mounts an idler pulley 96 for adjusting the tension on belt 40.

It is to be particularly noted that pulley 33 is coaxial with thearcuate curve of the guides 42 and, by virtue of the annular disposition, permits gripping interengagelnent of containers supplied to the guides 42. Thus, when rotated in the direction of the arrow, in Figure 3, by means hereinafter to be described in detail, the containers supplied to the guide 33 are carried downwardly in the bath in a predetermined path and at a predetermined rate. This action continues to move the containers up the inclined trackby virtue of the corresponding inclination of the lower run of the belt 40 and the provision of yieldable pressure assembly 98 cooperating therewith.

The pressure or spring assembly 98 comprises an inclined angle rail I00 Weldedto spaced, longitudinally disposed brackets I02 and I04 secured laterally between the frame rails I4 at longitudinally disposed points. Longitudinally spaced brackets or blocks I05, rigid with the rail I00, support a series of resilientspring plates I98 inclined in the direction of movement of the belt for applying a suitable pressure adjacent the lower portion of the belt. Adjacent the pulley is provided an oppositely extending spring plate I 50 mounted upon a downwardly projecting bracket H2.

It is thought that it will be obvious, from the foregoing, that the spring assembly at all times functions to urge the drag belt downwardly to grip the containers. As aresult, the container is yieldingly held and carried upwardly in an inclined plane by the movement of the drag belt. It is particularly important to note, moreover, that during movement the containers are continuously rotated about their central axes, since this improvement has been found to contribute to the efiiciency of the electrolytic action.

It is pertinent to note that the electrolytic cleansing action may be eifected by any suitable electrolytic cleaner, such, for example, as solutions of sodium or potassium carbonate, or alkali bicarbonate, silicate, metasilicate, hydroxide, phosphate, borate, tetraborate, or the like, or any suitable mixture thereof.

When the moving metallic container becomes a cathode within such a bath, the surface film is in effect lifted and flooded from the underlying metallic surfaces by mechanical action of gas created as a result of the electrolytic action. This action is enhanced by the detergent properties of the solution. It has been found, however, that this film may not be completely-removed by electrolytic treatment unless by the coincidental application of a supplementary brushing treatment, preferably in the presence of the detergent solution.

To this end, there is shown, in Figures 2, 3, 4 and 7, three opposed pairs of brushes II4 fixed upon shafts I Ilia, b and c, respectively, which are in turn journalled upon the frame rails, as at I I 8. It will be obvious, from the drawing, that each brush comprises a disk-like face plate I20 coaxial with each shaft H6 and supporting axially, inwardly disposed tufts I22 in position to engage the end walls of the container A.

Adjacent the brush construction the supporting rails assume the form shown in Figure '7, wherein angle rails 56 support a pair of guide strips I24 and I26 welded in position, as at I28, to restrain the containers from movement along the track.

Actuation-of the foregoing moving parts is effected by means of a motor I30 mounted in inverted position on the bottom of the rails I4. The motor, through drive belt I32, rotates a drive pulley I36 on brush shaft I I 6a. A smaller pulley l36a rotates a drive belt I30, which drive belt embraces, in driving relationship, pulleys I367), I360, idler pulley I40, and drag belt drive pulley 842. The pulley I42 is fixed on the shaft I44 which mounts the right-hand drag belt supporting pulley 90, and it is through this means, therefore, that the drag belt is operated. It will be evident that the driven pulleys I36?) and I360, being fixed to the shafts H612 and 0, respectively, function to operate the associated brushes.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that in operation the can containers continuously move into the brushing zone wherein the relatively soft tufts loosen any remaining film from the ends of the containers. It should be noted that during this operation the rotational movement of the containers causes all portions of the can extremities to contact the brushes.

Immedately subsequent to removal from the foregoing bath, the present invention provides for removal of all adherent electrolyte by rinsing means M5 (Figures 1, 2, 3A and 4A).

The containers are conveyed through the rinse by a guideway comprising opposed, parallel, downwardly inclined angles E48 upon which the containers are deposited by the drag belt 40. Tracks I 48 are preferably provided with drain slots (not shown) in their bottom portions to interrupt and prevent liquid flow down the incline.

The rinsing means comprises in general a housing I50 embracing a pair of longitudinally apertured spray pipes I52 supplied with'fresh water from conduit I54. The lower part of the housing comprises a drip tray I55 drained by an outlet conduit. The containers, in rolling down the inclined track I48, accordingly are rinsed with an excess of water as they pass through the housing I50.

At the foot of the inclined track is arranged a dryer I58, as shown more in detail in Figures 3A, 4A, and 8 to 11. The operation of this dryer depends upon the observation that sponging materials, and particularly so-called cellulose sponges, possess the property of continually absorbing moisture on the upper surfaces while releasing this moisture at lower portions. In accordance with this observation, the present invention provides a drain receptacle or tray I provided with an outlet conduit I62 in which is arranged a reticulated or foraminated tray I64. The tray I64 has a general form of a rectangular box-like receptacle receiving a plurality of rectangular blocks I66 of the above-described cellulose sponge material. It is supported upon a pair of transverse bars I58 engaged at their extremities by the threaded shanks I69 of elongated adjustment bolts I'II.

Figure 8 clearly shows how the lower extremities of the fastener shanks rest upon the bottom wall of the draining receptacle I60 to provide supporting leg portions of adjustable length.

Since the assembly is inclined in alignment with the guide rails I43, as shown in Figure 3A, the containers continue to roll thereacross under the influence of gravity, so that the outer wall bears and wipes against the upper surface of the sponges. It has been discovered that, under 7 the influence of this rolling action, the sponge surfaces abstract the surface moisture from the cans.

Attention is particularly directed to the fact that the abstracted moisture continually drains away from the upper surfaces so that the sponges are, in effect, self-clearing or draining.

In order to efiect a like removal of moisture from the end surfaces of the cylindrical can containers, we have provided laterally disposed end wipers omprising prismatic blocks IIO of sponge material (Figures 8 and 10) arranged to present an acute wiping corner I12 into the path of movement of the container. Means for supporting each of the blocks I'Hl comprises a channeled guide I14 in which the block I10 is received in vertical sliding movement. The channel is mounted by a bracket I16 having an elongated slot I18 to receive a fastener I80 on an outer flange of the tray or receptacle I60 so that each of the wiper blocks is laterally adjustable.

The blocks I10 are vertically supported upon parallel, longitudinally disposed guide rails I82 supported upon longitudinally disposed, inwardly and upwardly extending brackets I84 welded to the side Walls of the receptacle I60, as at I86. Rails I82 are received within lateral extendin slots I88 formed in the sponge blocks I10.

From the foregoing, it will be obvious that the can containers are guided in their gravity movement by the rails I82 while rolling upon the flat, inclined sponge surface formed by the blocks I66. During the passage the acute wiping edges I'IZ impinge the opposite ends of the container. A fine degree of control over the wiping engagement of the lateral sponge blocks I10 may be effected by the adjustable slot and fastener connection represented by the reference numerals I18 and I80.

The operation of as follows:

The cylindrical containers are continuously fed into the arcuate bight between the drag belt and the curved rail 42, and positively conveyed down into the cleaning solution and upwardly of the inclined path, during which time they are cathodically connected in electrical circuit. Accordingly, as electrolytic cleaning action progresses, the containers are continuously turned the foregoing mechanism is over and over, wiping meanwhile against the under surface of the belt 40 which assists in loosening the surface film.

When reaching the brushes H4, the axial end surfaces are .polished by a soft brushing action while still moistened with the preferably detergent electrolytic solution. While in the embodiment shown, the electrolytic action ceases just prior to the brushing action, nevertheless, it is within the contemplation of the present invention to continue the electrolytic action during the brushing step, if desired.

The containers are next discharged upon the downwardly inclined rails and moved by gravity through the chamber I59 where they are sprayed on all sides by an excess flow of fresh water to wash away the electrolytic solution. Continuin the downward path of movement, the containers roll over the sponge surface where the film of water is abstracted.

The present invention provides an improved machine for rapidly and positively removing surface foreign matter, and particularly films of organic food matter, from sealed containers. It is particularly interesting to note that so-called tin-plate surfaces subjected to treatment in the foregoing machine possess a much brighter appearance than an equivalent surface subjected to polishing. Complete cleansing of the surfaces in accordance with the present method is a practical matter superior to polishing.

It is further important to note that the dryin action of the instant sponge members, though of extremely short time duration, effects a removal of surface moisture and leaves the container in substantially the same condition as though it had been wiped with a chamois. The minute amount of residual moisture may accordingly be permitted to dry in the air or pass through any suitable dryer.

Many variations of the above invention coming within the scope of the following claims will be evident to those skilled in the art in view of the above specification.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. A device of the class described for cleanin the surfaces of a metallic tin plate container to remove external foreign matter, which comprises an electrolytic cleaning bath, means for immersing said container in said bath, means for connecting said container as an electrode during at least a portion of its period of immersion in said bath to effect said electrolytic cleaning, and brush means at least partially in said bath and movable relative to the container surfaces for separating electrolytically loosened surface material therefrom.

2. A device of the class described for cleaning the exterior surfaces of metallic tin plate containers to remove surface foreign matter, comprising means for immersing said containers in an electrolytic cleaning bath, means for simultaneously connecting a plurality of said containers as cathode during at least a portion of their period of immersion in said bath to effect said electrolytic cleaning, and means for mechanically acting upon said surfaces during at least a portion of the time the containers are connected as cathode to facilitate removal of electrolytically loosened foreign material.

3. In a device of the class described for removing surface films of foreign matter from the surfaces of a metallic pin plate container, means forming a vessel accommodating an electrolytic cleaning bath, means associated with said vessel for continuously conveying a succession of containers into and out of said electrolyti cleaning bath, means associated with said conveyor means to connect each of said containers as an electrode during at least a portion of its period of immersion in said bath to effect said electrolytic cleaning, and soft, wet, revolving brush means, adjacent to the place where said containers leave said electrolytic bath arranged to contact said containers to remove electrolytically loosened surface material.

4. A method of cleaning the exterior surfaces of metallic tin plate containers to remove surface foreign matter therefrom, which comprises subjecting the surfaces of said containers to electrolytic cleaning while the containers are immersed in an electrolytic cleaning bath, and thereafter, while said surfaces are still moist with electrolyte, mechanically acting upon said surfaces and thereby removing the electrolytically loosened foreign matter.

ALEX C. I-IERRO. PAUL SMART. 

